WUSA 9 Partners With the National Park Foundation on #RespectLincoln

WASHINGTON - July 29, 2013 - PRLog -- After a splash of green paint was discovered at the base of the statue of President Lincoln and on the former president's lap shortly after 1:00 Friday morning, U.S. Park Police officials closed the memorial to visitors as they investigated the incident. Residents and visitors alike were outraged and heartbroken at the reprehensible display.

As the outrage grew on social media all day Friday, Washington D.C.’s WUSA 9 decided it was time to help restore the respect for the iconic memorials in its own backyard. In a unique partnership with The National Park Foundation WUSA 9 has invited viewers and online users to join in an effort to #RespectLincoln. The partnership gives supporters the opportunity to post comments, share feelings and rally even more support.

According to WUSA 9 News Director Fed D’Ambrosi; “we really believe that the best response in a situation like this is to turn something negative into some positive action. So #RespectLincoln was born.”

Concerned supporters can share their own thoughts by using the hash-tag #RespectLincoln. Supporters can even donate “some Lincoln’s” of their own to help fight vandalism at the Washington DC memorials and at every national park.  Anyone wanting to join in the effort to restore the respect for the Lincoln Memorial can text the word PARKS to 90999 and make a ten dollar donation.

“The WUSA 9 station brand is called ‘This Is Home’ because we share a love for this great city with everyone else who lives here. This morning we also shared their heartbreak and outrage after the desecration of one of our city’s beloved monuments.” Said Sandra L. Gehring, WUSA 9’s Director of Marketing.  Gehring added; “The best part of being in the communication business is the ability to rally support for an important cause and today the need was obvious.  We are especially gratified that the National Park Service wanted to work together with us to bring even more awareness to the wholly unnecessary problem of vandalism at ALL national parks.”  

The #RespectLincoln campaign is appearing now on WUSA 9’s news broadcasts, on the www.wusa9.com website, on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/WUSA9, on Twitter at @wusa9 and in commercial announcements.

About Gannett

Gannett Co., Inc.  is an international media and marketing solutions company that informs and engages more than 100 million people every month through its powerful network of broadcast, digital, mobile and publishing properties. Our portfolio of trusted brands offers marketers unmatched local-to-national reach and customizable, innovative marketing solutions across any platform. Gannett is committed to connecting people–and the companies who want to reach them—with their interests and communities

For inquires, contact:          

Sandra L. Gehring          

Director of Marketing          

202-895-5970  

407-739-0146          

sgehring@wusa9.com